Chickens not laying

[MikeTheGardener]

I have 6 chickens and they simply are not laying any eggs. I get 1 egg per day. I don't mind having them as pets, but I was really hoping to get some eggs from them for a few years

We were getting 4 to 6 a day just a month or so ago. Any ideas?

 

[Free Spirit]

You didn't mention how old they were so I'm assuming they are fairly young.

When daylight hours are shorter (fall winter in Northern Hemisphere) and/or when chickens are in molt the egg production slows or ceases. If they are not in molt you can add a light in the morning before sunrise so the total light hours (artificial and sunlight) equal to 14 hours. But it is best for them if they can have a break from laying for a few months. If they are in molt you will see them losing feathers and looking a little ragged. Nothing much you can do about that. If it's one or the other they will be back to laying in a few months.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How old are they and what breed?

 

[MikeTheGardener]

they are 1 year old and I have buff orpingtons, new hampshire reds, patridge rocks and astralorps

 

[aart]

Are they 12 months old or 18 months old?

Any signs of molting, feathers all over?

Do you free range?

 

[MikeTheGardener]

Are they 12 months old or 18 months old?

Any signs of molting, feathers all over?

Do you free range?

Not free range, they are about 20 months old and they were molting. It seems egg production is back.

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh, well, there ya go....that didn't take long huh?
Are you using lights?

 

[mmack]

My austrolorps are twenty weeks old and still not laying .should i be concerned

 

[song of joy]

My austrolorps are twenty weeks old and still not laying .should i be concerned

No. Mine usually don't start laying until they're about 25-26 weeks old.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My austrolorps are twenty weeks old and still not laying .should i be concerned

Goodness no -- 20 weeks would be the early side for the breed. 22-28 weeks is a good window to look towards - though the occasional bird will lay sooner/later than that.